South Korea search for new coach

Both sides qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup after Iran managed to beat South Korea in Ulsan

The South Korean national team have begun their search to replace outgoing coach Choi Kang-hee, despite qualifying for the 2014 World Cup on Tuesday evening.

South Korea progressed to world football's showpiece event in Brazil, in spite of a 1-0 loss to Iran in their final group match.

Choi, who took charge of the national team in 2011, always planned to step down after the World Cup qualification process and Park Moon-sung, an analyst with local network SBS believes Senol Gunes is a leading contender to take over.

"We have a year left until the 2014 World Cup, and that isn't such a long time to step in and take control of the national team," Park said.

"The Korea Football Association will try to name someone who already knows our players and the system. Gunes could be a strong candidate."

Gunes coached K-League outfit FC Seoul from 2007-2009 and also led Turkey to the World Cup in 2002.